Setting the record straight – We’ve seen numerous news stories claiming that northern giant hornets (Vespa mandarina aka “murder hornets”) have “disappeared” or have been “eradicated.” Here is what we know:
– So far this year, we do not have any confirmed hornet sightings. However, our trapping season doesn’t end until November.
– We need three years of no detections before the hornets would be declared eradicated.
– Public participation in looking for and reporting suspected sightings is more important than ever, especially given that half of our confirmed sightings and all of our nest detections have come from public reports.
So keep your eyes open and your traps up – because the fight is not yet over! Report suspected hornet sightings at agr.wa.gov/hornets
Original source can be found here.
